Fraction collector

ABSTRACT

A fraction collector includes a spiral array of containers mounted for free rotation and a filling assembly mounted for free movement along a path intersecting the convolutions of said spiral array. A container engaging member is mounted on said filling assembly, and drive means move said member into engagement with successive containers in the spiral array to rotate said array while moving said filling assembly along said intersecting path.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Warren E. Gilson 4801 Sheboygan Ave.,Madison, Wis. 53705 [21] Appl. No. 774,967 [22] Filed Nov. 12, 1968 [45]Patented Mar. 16,1971

[54] FRACTION COLLECTOR 26 Claims, 13 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 141/1, 23/253, 23/259, 141/130, 141/167 [51] Int. Cl B65b3/04, GOln 33/00 [50] Field of Search 23/253, 259; 73/421,423 (A);141/130, 167, 170, 1; 74/142, 126

[56] References Cited 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,493,382 l/1950 Bell141/130 Alm 2,894,542 7/1959 141/130 2,997,077 8/1961 Rodrigues, Jr141/130 3,208,485 9/1965 Tiffany 141/130 3,405,500 10/1968 Rupert 14 Ill70x 3,410,321 11/1968 Mitchell 141/130 FOREIGN PATENTS 33,567 8/1924Denmark Primary Examiner-Manuel A. Antonakas Attorney-Mason,Kolehmainen, Rathburn & Wyss ABSTRACT: A fraction collector includes aspiral array of containers mounted for free rotation and a fillingassembly mounted for free movement along a path intersecting theconvolutions of said spiral array. A container engaging member ismounted on said filling assembly, and drive means move said member intoengagement with successive containers in the spiral array to rotate saidarray while moving said filling assembly along said intersecting path.

Patented March 16, 1971 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR WARREN E. GILSONfivfiik w 3 Afrorneys By %M, MW,

Patented Match 16, 1971 3,570,555

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 76 lNVE/VTOR WARREN E. G/LSO/V By M077, mam,

Patented March 16,1971 3,570,555

4 Sheets-Sheet S we. a

//V VENTOR WARREN E. G/LSO/V By M, mm,

A rrorneys Patented March 16, 1911 5,570,555

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

/NVEN TOR WARREN E. G/LSON By won, Attorneys FRACTION COLLECTOR Thepresent invention relates to a new and improved fraction collector orlaboratory apparatus used for filling a series of containers.

It is desirable in a fraction collector to provide for a maximum numberof separate containers in a minimum of space and also to provide asimple mechanism for reliably aligning a filling assembly withsuccessive containers to be filled with a minimum of complex alignmentand/or drive mechanism being required. In most devices of this charactera measured volume or specified number of drops of liquid are deliveredto each container and after a prescribed volume or number of drops havebeen delivered to one container, the filling assembly and anothercontainer are moved into alignment and filled. This process is repeatedfor any number of successive containers. Many fraction collectorsutilize driven, rotating tables for supporting the containers and inmany cases the individual containers are spaced in concentric circles orrings about the axis of rotation. The table is driven in synchronismwith the filling assembly which moves in steps in a radial direction tothe next ring of containers after all of the containers in the firstconcentric ring have been filled.

Complicated and complex driven mechanisms are required for synchronizingthe movements of the filling assembly and rotation of the table in orderto fill the containers in proper sequence. Spiral arrays of containershave been used; however, a spiral guide track was always needed forguiding relative movement between the containers and the fillingassembly to insure proper sequential filling of the containers. In bothtypes of prior apparatus described, the complex drive and synchronizingmechanism result in high costs and larger bulk, and these units are noteasily adaptable for use with containers of several different sizes.

it is an object, therefore, of the present invention to provide a noveland improved fraction collector.

A further object is to provide an improved fraction collectorcharacterized by an exceedingly simple and reliable arrangement foraligning the filling assembly with a series of containers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedfraction collector employing a spiral array of containers mounted forfree rotation relative to a filling assembly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedfraction collector wherein spiral guideways or tracks are not requiredfor guiding relative movement between the containers and the fillingassembly.

Anotherobject of the present invention is to provide a novel andimproved fraction collector which can readily accommodate containers ofdifferent sizes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedfraction collector of the character described wherein a maximum numberof containers are accommodated in a minimum of space.

in copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 702,419, filed Feb. 1, 1968,therein is illustrated a new and improved corrtainer for use in afraction collecting apparatus, and it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a new and improved fraction collector especiallyadapted to use containers of the type described in said application.

Yet another object is to provide a new and improved fraction collectorwherein relative movement between a filling assembly of the apparatusand successive containers to be filled is produced by direct engagementbetween the filling assembly or a component mounted thereon and thecontainers themselves.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedfraction collection apparatus of the character described wherein thecontainers to be filled are mounted on a freely rotatable support anddriving means for said support are not required.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved fraction collector including a filling assembly freely movablein a direction transversely intersecting the convolutions of a spiralarray of containers to be filled.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedfraction collector including a filling assembly, drain means, and meansfor moving the filling assembly from a container filling position to adrain position after the last container has been filled.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedfraction collector which can be easily set up to automatically fill anyselected number of containers less than the total number of containerscarried by the collector.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedfraction collector including means for preventing the filling ofadditional containers after a selected number has been filled.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved fraction collector which is simple in con struction, compact insize, simple in operation, and easy to service and maintain. I

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present inventionare accomplished in an illustrative embodi ment thereof comprising a newand improved fraction collector having a spiral array of containersmounted for free rotation and a filling assembly mounted for freemovement along a path intersecting convolutions of the spiral array. Acontainer engaging finger is mounted on the filling assembly and drivemeans is provided for moving the finger into engagement with successivecontainers in the spiral array, thereby to rotate the array while movingthe filling assembly along the intersecting path.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference should behad to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with theappended claims and the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a new and improved fractioncollector constructed in accordance with the features of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, front elevational view of the lefthand portionof the collector of FIG. 1 showing the filling assembly with portions ofthe apparatus shown as broken away and in section;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of a portion of the fillingassembly looking in the direction of the arrows 3-3 0 FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the fraction collector of FIG. 1with portions of apparatus shown broken away and in section to disclosedetails of a driving mechanism for the filling assembly;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the driving mechanismlooking in the direction of arrows 5-5 of FIG. 4 and illustrating inschematic form the path of orbit or movement of the filling assembly;

NOS. 6 through 9 are side elevational views of the drive mechanism ofFIG. 5 illustrating in sequence different operative positions of thefilling assembly during a cycle of operation;

FlG. 10 is a fragmentary, front perspective view of the filling assemblyof the apparatus;

FIG. 11 is a horizontal, sectional view of the filling assembly of FIG.10 looking downwardly in the direction of the arrows 1 1-11;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the filling assembly looking inthe direction of the arrows 12-12 of FIG. ii; and

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view similar to FlG. 12, but illustratingthe filling assembly after engagement. with a stop member after the lastcontainer is filled.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated a new and improvedfraction collector generally designated as 20 and constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention. The apparatus2% includes a generally rectangular base unit 22 in which is contained adrive mechanism, to be hereinafter described, and other components ofthe collector, such as a control and counting system.

In accordance with the present invention, a circular table 24 issupported on the base unit 22 for free rotation around a vertical axisextending upwardly from a point on the right-hand side of the base asviewed in FIG. 1. Suitable axle and bearing means are provided on aframework 22a adjacent the righthand side of the base unit housing(FIG. 1) for supporting the table. The freely rotatable turntable 24 isadapted to support a plurality of upstanding, open ended, liquidcontainers 26 arranged in a spiral array around the axis of rotation ofthe table. The liquid containers 26 are preferably of the type disclosedin the aforementioned U.S. copending Pat. application and are formed ofintegrally molded plastic material.

In order to support the containers, a tray or bobbin 28 including a hub28a and a flange 28b is frictionally held on the table, as by engagementof the hub 28a with an axle shaft (not shown) to the end that the bobbintogether with a supply of containers may be readily loaded onto andunloaded from the table 24. Preferably the hub 28a is formed with anouter surface conforming to a single revolution, spiral surfacegenerated around the axis of rotation of the turntable. Any number ofcontainers can be interconnected in articulation to form a series orstring to be wound around the bobbin hub 280, each convolution of thespiral array of containers progressing farther and farther radiallyoutward of the axis of rotation by a distance equal to the lateral widthof the containers. As shown in FIG. l, a handle 280 may be provided forremoving and replacing the bobbin and containers on the turntable 24.

In accordance with the present invention, the fraction collector 20 canbe used for filling many different sizes and types of containers havingdifferent widths and cross-sectional areas and a substitute bobbin 28having an appropriately pitched spiral outer surface may be provided foreach different type or size of container.

The series or string of hingedly connected containers 26 is held inspiral array on the bobbin or tray 28 by a U-shaped hook 30 which has adownwardly extending leg 30a engaging the interior of the outermostcontainer in the-spiral. The opposite leg 30b of the hook is resilientlyconnected to a lug 32 by means of a spring 34. The lug 32 includes afinger 32a adapted to project into and lock in any selected one of aplurality of openings 35 provided at spaced locations on the flange 28bof the bobbin 23, depending upon the number and size of containers inthe spiral array. Tension provided by spring 34 holds the containers ina tightly wrapped spiral array on the tray 28 around the hub 28a.

In accordance with the present invention, the fraction collector 20includes a filling assembly generally designated as 36 mounted for freemovement along a radial path intersecting the convolutions of the spiralarray of containers 26. The filling assembly 36 is adapted sequentiallyto fill successive containers in the spiral array starting from an outercontainer and continuing along the spiral toward the center, although areverse or outward sequence could be employed.

More specifically, the filling assembly 36 includes a filling head 38mounted for free sliding movement on a support rod or arm 40 spacedabove the upper open ends of the array of containers. The rod or arm 40is supported at a point spaced radially outward of the turntable 24 andextends radially inward towards the axis of rotation, and thus crosseseach convolution of the spiral. The support arm 40 is supported at itsouter end by a movable, upstanding drive leg 42 mounted adjacent theleft-hand side (as shown in FIG. 1) of the base unit 22 on the outer endof a drive shaft 43. The arrow A in FlGS. 1, 2 and indicates thedirection of movement of the head 38.

ithough the filling head 38 is mounted for free, longitudinal slidingmovement on the support arm 40, relative rotation of the head about thesupport arm is prevented by a second, smaller diameter support arm 44parallel to the arm 40 and also supported at its outer end by theupstanding leg 42. The arms 40 and 44 are interconnected at their innerends by a stop member 46, best shown in FIG. 3, so that accurateparallel spacing between the arms is maintained and radial inward travelof the head 38 is limited. A pair of upstanding guide fingers or pins 48bracket the guide rod 44 (FIG. 10) and positively restrain rotation ofthe head 38 on the support arm 40 without interfering with the freelongitudinal sliding movement.

In accordance with an important feature of the present invention, anovel arrangement is provided for simultaneously moving the fillingassembly 36 and the containers 26 thereby sequentially to align eachcontainer beneath the filling assembly. In general this is accomplishedin a novel manner by repeatedly moving the support for the fillingassembly through a closed path so that engagement between the fillingassembly and the containers brings about the desired relative movement.

More specifically, the filling assembly 36 includes a container engagingmember or drive finger 50 mounted on the filling head 38 and extendingdownwardly thereof for direct engagement in the upper, open ends of thecontainers 26. This engagement between the containers and the finger 50in combination with movement of the support for the filling assemblyresults in incremental rotation of the turntable 24 to move successivecontainers under the support arm 40 and also results in incrementallongitudinal movement of the filling head 38 along the arm in a radialdirection with respect to the spiral array.

The support arm 40 is driven to move in a repetitive cycle around aclosed orbit or path so that the finger 50 is moved (FIGS. 6--9) toengage successive containers 26 in the spiral array on the turntable.FIG. 5 illustrates schematically a closed, rectangular orbit or path B"representing the path traversed by the support arm 40 and the fillinghead 38 mounted thereon. The upward, downward, forward, and reversestrokes making up the closed orbital path "B" are in a direction orplane generally perpendicular or normal to the axis of the support arm40.

Referring to FIG. 6, when the depending finger 50 is in an engagedposition projecting downwardly into the upper open end of a container 26labeled 02, the next adjacent container (labeled 01) is in a position tobe filled with liquid dispensed from the lower end of a filling tube 52.After the desired quantity of liquid has been dispensed into the illcontainer, the drive finger 50 moves on a reverse stroke 56in ahorizontal direction (from right to left as illustrated in FIG. 1)causing the turntable 24 to rotate an incremental amount in a clockwisedirection (arrow C), as viewed in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 8, the finger 50 then moves on an upward stroke 56above and out of engagement with the container 26, labeled 02. When thefinger 5G is clear of the upper ends of the containers 26 it is moved ona forward or advancing stroke 58 (from left to right) in a horizontaldirection, as shown in FIG. 9, until the finger is positioned over thenext successive container (container 03) in the spiral. The drive finger50 then moves on a downward stroke 60, as indicated in FIG. 6, tocomplete the closed orbit or path B. In this position the conainerlabeled 02 is beneath the filling tube 52 ready to be riled.

The process or cycle just described is repeated after each container isfilled in succession starting with the container labeled ill until thedesired number of containers in the spiral array have been filled. Asthe drive finger 50 is moved in repetitive closed orbits or paths Bgenerally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support arm as,direct engagement with successive containers 26 in sequence causesrotation of the turntable 24 and simultaneously results in travelradially inward of the filling assembly 36 until the last container isfilled. The filling head 3% is automatically and gently shifted inincrements inwardly on the support arm iii by engagement betweeninwardly and downwardly tapering, curved lateral edges 50a adjacent thelower end of the drive finger 50 (MG. 2) against the lateral sidewalls26a of the containers.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6-9, the finger 50 includes a downwardly andforwardly sloped bottom surface 5% adapted to camm'ingly engage the backsides or edges 26b (FIG. 7) of the containers 2s, and thereby cause theturntable to rotate in increments into a position wherein the nextcontainer in the spiral array is aligned beneath the tube 52 forfilling. The sloping surface 50b may also engage the back side 26b ofthe containers as the finger 54) moves on a downward stroke 64) (FIG. 6)accurately to center the next container in the string beneath thefilling tube 52.

The filling operation for each container is controlled by suitablecontrol means (forming no part of the present invention) which meansmayemploy an adjustable timer, an electronic drop counter or a volumemeasuring or sensing device. When a timer is used, after a selected timeinterval for filling the container has elapsed, an electrical signal issent to the drive mechanism of the fraction collector causing the drivefinger 50 to move through the closed orbital path 8" to align the nextcontainer in position for filling. The timed filling interval is thenrepeated and successive cycles continued until all of the containershave been filled. When a drop counter or volume measuring apparatus isused, an electrical eye mechanism is used to count the passage of liquiddroplets from the filling hose 52 into the containers or to sense whenthe liquid in a container reaches a certain desired level, whereupon anelectrical signal is initiated to actuate the drive mechanism.

In order to move the arm 40 through its closed path, a drive mechanism70 (FIGS. 4 through 9) is contained in the base unit or cabinet 22. Thedrive mechanism is adapted to move the drive shaft 43 and the upstandingdrive leg 42 supported thereby in vertical, reciprocating translation aswell as in controlled, rotative oscillation, these motions beingindicated by the arrows F and G respectively in FIG. 5. Verticalreciprocation in the direction of the arrow F causes movement of thedrive finger 50 on upward and downward strokes 56 and 60, respectivelyof the path B, and this movement is imparted by an elongated lever 72having an outer end supported for pivotal movement about the axis of apivot shaft 74 carried in a bearing block 76 attached to the base of thehousing 22. The shaft 43 is freely rotatable in a drilled passageintermediate the ends of the lever 72, and the opposite end of the lever72 is provided with a follower roller 78 adapted to ride against arotating cam member 80 mounted on a shaft 82 driven by an electricalmotor and reducer 84 (FIGS. 4 and 5).

When the drive finger 59 is to commence an operating cycle around theclosed path B, as in FIG. 5, the electric motor 8 3 is energized for apredetermined time period so that the shaft 82 rotates one completerevolution, as indicated pictorally in the diagrams of FIGS. 6 through9. The cam 80 is shaped so that during each complete revolution of theshaft 82, the lever 72, the shaft 43 and the leg d2 move upwardly on aupward stroke 56 and return on a downward stroke 60. The accelerationand velocity of the upward and downward strokes are determined by theshape of the cam 8i), and the cam can be designed to provide for periodsof dwell in the upper and lower positions. It is to be understood thatwhile a truly rectangular orbital path like the path B is desirable itis not necessarily required, and closed paths of other shapes canbe usedto produce the results desired.

In order to provide for forward and reverse strokes 58 and 54 of thefilling assembly and drive finger 50, the shaft 43 is oscillated aboutits longitudinal axis, as indicatedby the arrow G. The upstanding driveleg 42 is fixedly connected to the outer end of the shaft 43 and doesnot rotate relative thereto, so that when the shaft 43 is rotated aboutits longitudinal axis in an oscillatory fashion, the upstanding supportleg 42 is tilted about its lower end, as indicated in FIGS. 6 through 9.Rotational oscillation of the shaft 43, in synchronism with the verticalreciprocation of the shaft, is accomplished by means of a lever 86having an outer end fixedly connected to the shaft 83 and an oppositeend carrying a follower roller %8 which rides on a second rotating cam91), carried on and driven by the motor shaft 82. As can be seen fromthe drawings, the shape of the respective cams 80 and 90 are notnecessarily the same and the cam 90 is designed to produce the desiredoscillating rotational motion of the shaft 43. Both of the cam members80 and 9b are driven by the common shaft 82 and are maintained in thedesired phase or angular relationship with one another by means of asetscrew 92. As the gear motor shaft 82 is driven to rotate one completerevolution, the lever 86 is driven by the cam 99 to tilt the leg 42 tothe left as shown in FIG. 6 by rotation of the supporting shaft 33 in acounterclockwise direction and subsequently to tilt the leg in a reverseor clockwise direction and past the vertical position to the position ofFIG. 9

From the foregoing it is seen that the shape of the respective earns 80and 90 and the rotational positions of the cams with respect to eachother or phase angle therebetween is effective to control and producethe closed path or orbit B of the desired shape so that the filling headassembly 36 and driven finger thereof can effectively engage andposition successive containers on the table for filling. Both of thelevers 72 and 86 are biased downwardly toward the base of the base unit22 by suitable coil springs 94 and 96, respectively, so that thefollower rollers 78 and 88 are in continuous contact against therespective cam surfaces.

The drive mechanism 70 of the fraction collector apparatus 20 includingthe motor 84 and cams 80 and 90 is simple in construction and operation.The interconnecting mechanism between the cams and the shaft 43 whichsupports the up standing leg 42 is relatively simple and straightforwardin construction and operation. No separate driving interconnections areneeded between the drive motor and filling head assembly 36 and betweenthe drive motor and the rotatable turntable 24, nor is a complexmechanism required in order to effect proper sequential filling of thecontainers mounted on the table. The camming engagement between themovable drive finger 50 and the individual containers 26 in the spiralarray provides the necessary driving engagement between these two freelymovable components to effect the desired movement of successivecontainers into a filling position beneath the filling assembly.

Referring now more specifically to the construction of the fillingassembly 36 (FIGS. 1-3 and l0l3), one aspect of the invention resides ina novel arrangement for terminating the filling sequence once thedesired number of containers has been filled. The filling head 38 isjoined by-a post 103 to a lower body member 100 supporting the drivefinger 50. To one side of the post 103, between the head 3% and memberwe, is defined an enlarged recess 102, while on the opposite side of thepost 103 an oppositely facing recess 104 is formed. The filling tube 52is secured to a movable L-shaped support member 106 (FIG. 11) mountedfor pivotal movement on a vertical pin 108 extending between the fillinghead 38 and the member 1100 through the recess 104. The L-shaped supportmember 106 is movable in a horizontal plane around the pin M8, in acounterclockwise direction from the position shown in FIG. ll, asindicated by the arrow .l to a draining position wherein fluid from thefilling tube 52 is drained off and does not flow into the containers 2d.

The tube 52 is supported on the member M6 by a grommet lllll serving tocenter and support the lower end portion of the filling tube 52 and by aclamping assembly 312 which is mounted on an upstanding post 114 (FIG.11) secured to the member 1%. The clamping assembly includes a knurledknob 11241 for tightening and loosening the clamp 1112 so that the tube52 can be easily removed from the clamping assembly and replaced withanother tube if desired. As best shown in FIG. ll, the L-shaped member106 includes a cutout or recess 107 for the post 103 which joins themember Hill with the upper filling head 38.

in accordance with the present invention, a removable stop pin isinserted into any selected one of the containers 26 on the table 24 forterminating a fraction collecting operation. The stop pin extendsupwardly from the upper end of a container 26 as shown in H6. 1, andnormally is placed in the innermost container in the spiral array.However, the pin 1 tion 100a adapted to be engaged by the upper endportion of the stop pin and prevent further rotation of the turntable24.

FIGS. iii, ill and 12 illustrate the filling assembly 36 prior toengagement of the stop pin 120 with the projection 100a, and FIG. 13shows the pin in a fully engaged position between the legs of theprojection i'lilia. The L-shaped support member 106 is normallymaintained in a container filling position, as shown in H0. 11, whereinthe filling tube 52 is positioned over a'container directly adjacent toa container in which the drive finger 50 is engaged. The L-shaPed member106 is maintained in this position by the engagement of a short pin orprojection 116 on the upper surface thereof into an aperture llba (FIG.11) formed in a movable latch member 118 hinged to the lower surface ofthe filling head 38 in the slot 102. The latch member 118 is normallybiased downwardly into engagement with the pin M6 by a leaf-type biasingspring 122 connected at opposite ends to the head 38 and latch 118 andthe L-shaped support member 106 is thus positively retained in theposition shown in FIG. 11. When the latch 118 is pivoted upwardly from alatching position shown in FIG. 12 to an unlatched position as shown inFIG. 13, the pin 116 is no longer engaged in the aperture 118a. TheL-shaped member 106 is then free to pivot about the vertical mountingpin H08 in a counterclockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow 3,from the filling position (FIG. 11) to a draining position (FIG. 13)wherein liquid from the filling tube no longer flows into the container26. Pivotal movement or shifting of the member 106 from the filling tothe draining position is instituted by a spring 124 connected atopposite ends to a leg of the L-shaped member 106 and one leg of theU-shaped projection 100a, respectively.

After the turntable 24 has been rotated under the filling assembly 36until the removable stop pin 120 is in contact (H6. 13) between the legsof the U-shaped projection 100a, further rotation of the turntable isstopped. As the filling head assembly 36 moves on a downward stroke 60,at the end of a cycle as shown in FIG. 13, the outer end portion of thelatching lever 118 is engaged on the upper end of the stop pin 120, andthis pivots the latch upwardly out of engagement with the latch pin 116.The L-shaped member 106 is then pivoted by the spring 124 in thedirection indicated by the arrow J and moves the filling tube 52 out ofits normal filling position into a drain position wherein the lower endof the tube is centered above an elongated drainage trough 126. Thedrainage trough 126 is supported to extend parallel to the support arm40 and when the latch 118 is unlatched the filling tube will move to adrain position above the trough regardless of. the radial portion of thefilling assembly 36 on the arm 40. The outer end of the drainage troughis supported in a block member 128 mounted on the upstanding support leg42 and a suitable drainage hose 130 is connected to the drainage conduitto carry away the liquid.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to asingle preferred embodiment, it should be understood that otherembodiments and modifications may be devised by those skilled in the artwhich will fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.Consequently, details of the described embodiment should not be taken tolimit the invention which is defined in the following claims.

i claim:

ll. Fraction collecting apparatus comprising in combination: a spiralarray of containers mounted for free rotation; a filling assemblymounted for free movement along a path intersecting the convolutions ofsaid spiral array; a container engaging member mounted on said fillingassembly; and drive means for moving said member into engagement withsuccessive containers in said spiral array thereby to rotate said arraywhile moving said filling assembly along said intersecting path.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said filling assemblyincludes an elongated support arm spaced above said array and extendingfrom a position outwardly of said containers toward the center of saidarray, said container engaging member mounted for free slidinglongitudinal movement on said arm.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said support arm is mounted formovement in a repetitive closed orbit generally normal to thelongitudinal axis thereof.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said member is engaged with acontainer during only a portion of said orbit, and during said portionsaid array is rotated to position the next successive container into afilling position beneath said filling assembly.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said member includes sloped lateralcam surfaces engageable against surfaces of said containers to move saidfilling assembly longitudinally on said arm as each successive containermoves into a filling position.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said filling assembly includes adischarge opening for dispensing liquid into said container, saidopening being spaced from said container engaging member to fill thecontainer next adjacent thereto.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said filling assembly includes drainmeans, and means operable to align said discharge opening and drainmeans after a selected container in said array has been filled.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said last mentioned means includes astop member removably mounted in any selected container in said array'and engageable with said filling assembly to effect alignment of saiddischarge opening and drain means.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 including rotating table means supportingsaid array of containers, means hingedly interconnecting said containersin a string, and means for securing said string in a tightly wrappedspiral around the axis of rotation of said table.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said last mentioned resilient meansexerts tension on said string of containers.

11. Fraction collecting apparatus comprising: a freely rotatable table;a series of containers disposed in a curve on said table; a fillingassembly including means for discharging material into said containers;a support means located above said table and mounting said fillingassembly for free sliding movement across said curve; and drive meansfor producing relative movement between said filling assembly and saidcontainers to align said filling assembly sequentially with saidcontainers, said drive means comprising: container engaging means onsaid filling assembly; means for repeatedly moving said support meansthrough a closed path for brining said container engaging means intosequential engagement with said containers, said last mentioned meansincluding shaft means connected to and spaced from said support means,motor means having an output shaft and a pair of rotary cams mountedthereon, first linkage means drivingly interconnecting one of said camsand said shaft means for producing oscillatory rotation of the latter,and second linkage means drivingly interconnecting said other of saidcams and said shaft means for producing vertical reciprocation of thelatter.

12. A method of producing simultaneous movement of a spiral array ofcontainers mounted for rotation and a container treating apparatusmounted for sliding reciprocal movement and including a containerengaging member movable through a closed path, said method comprisingthe steps of:

engaging one container with said member;

moving said member through said closed path in order incrementally andsimultaneously to rotate said array and to slide said container engagingmember;

disengaging said member from said one container;

moving said member over an adjacent container; and

engaging the adjacent container with said member.

13. The methodof claim 12 wherein said steps are carried out by movingsaid member repeatedly through a cycle of movement.

' 14. The method of claim 12 further comprising filling said onecontainer while said adjacent container is engaged by said member.

15. Fraction collecting apparatus comprising a series of containersarranged in a spiral path on a support table mounted for free rotationabout an upstanding axis, a filling head assembly mounted for freesliding movement generally transversely across adjacent convolutions insaid spiral path, and a drive element carried by said filling headassembly and engageable with said containers for simultaneously rotatingsaid table and sliding said filling head assembly.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said drive element comprises adownwardly depending finger engageable with said containers to alignsuccessive containers beneath said filling head.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said guide finger includes lateralcamming surfaces sloping inwardly and downwardly for engaging lateralsides of said containers and producing relative movement of said fillinghead transversely of said spiral path to a position centered above acontainer thereon.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said finger is movable in arepetitive closed path including upward and downward strokes and strokesin opposite directions along said spiral path, said finger and acontainer operatively engaging one another during one of said latterstrokes to rotate said table to align the next adjacent container intoposition for filling.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said finger includes gageable witha side of containers extending between said lateral sides thereof foradvancing the same into a filling position.

20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein saidfilling head means includessupport ann means above said containers and an inwardly and downwardlysloping forward cam surface enextending generally radially of the axisof rotation of said table and a filling head supporting said fingermounted for free sliding movement longitudinally of said arm means.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 including motor means for moving saidsupport arm in a repetitive closed circuit generally normal thereto foraligning successive containers in said spiral path into a fillingposition.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said motor means includes anupstanding leg connected at its upper end to an outer end of saidsupport arm and a movable shaft supporting the lower end of said leg forvertical movement thereof.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said motor means includes firstand second cams mounted for rotation on a common shaft, first followermeans engaging said first cam and said shaft for raising and loweringsaid shaft upon rotation of said cams, and second follower meansengaging said second cam and said shaft for rotationally oscillatingsaid shafi upon rotation of said cams thereby-producing said repetitiveclosed circuit motion of said support arm.

24. For use with a fraction collector, the combination of a supportingsurface mounted for rotational movement about an axis normal to andintersecting said surface, a hub member located at said axis, a stringof hingedly interconnected containers supported on said surface andhaving first and second end containers, said first end container beingconnected to said hub member and said string being disposed in a spiralaround said hub member, and means interconnecting said second endcontainer to said surface for holding said string in said spiral.

25. The combination of claim 24 wherein said interconnecting meansincludes resilient means held in tension to apply tension to saidstring.

26. The combination of claim 24, a

tray comprising said surface and said hub member.

1. Fraction collecting apparatus comprising in combination: a spiralarray of containers mounted for free rotation; a filling assemblymounted for free movement along a path intersecting the convolutions ofsaid spiral array; a container engaging member mounted on said fillingassembly; and drive means for moving said member into engagement withsuccessive containers in said spiral array thereby to rotate said arraywhile moving said filling assembly along said intersecting path.
 2. Theapparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said filling assembly includesan elongated support arm spaced above said array and extending from aposition outwardly of said containers toward the center of said array,said container engaging member mounted for free sliding longitudinalmovement on said arm.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said supportarm is mounted for movement in a repetitive closed orbit generallynormal to the longitudinal axis thereof.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3wherein said member is engaged with a container during only a portion ofsaid orbit, and during said portion said array is rotated to positionthe next successive container into a filling position beneath saidfilling assembly.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said memberincludes sloped lateral cam surfaces engageable against surfaces of saidcontainers to move said filling assembly longitudinally on said arm aseach successive container moves into a filling position.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein said filling assembly includes a dischargeopening for dispensing liquid into said container, said opening beingspaced from said container engaging member to fill the container nextadjacent thereto.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said fillingassembly includes drain means, and means operable to align saiddischarge opening and drain means after a selected container in saidarray has been filled.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said lastmentioned means includes a stop member removably mounted in any selectedcontainer in said array and engageable with said filling assembly toeffect alignment of said discharge opening and drain means.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1 including rotating table means supporting saidarray of containers, means hingedly interconnecting said containers in astring, and means for securing said string in a tightly wrapped spiralaround the axis of rotation of said table.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9wherein said last mentioned resilient means exerts tension on saidstring of containers.
 11. Fraction collecting apparatus comprising: afreely rotatable table; a series of containers disposed in a curve onsaid table; a filling assembly including means for discharging materialinto said containers; a support means located above said table andmounting said filling assembly for free sliding movement across saidcurve; and drive means for producing relative movement between saidfilling assembly and said containers to align said filling assemblysequentially with said containers, said drive means comprising:container engaging means on said filling assembly; means for repeatedlymoving said support means through a closed path for brining saidcontainer engaging means into sequential engagement with saidcontainers, said last mentioned means including shaft means connected toand spaced from said support means, motor means having an output shaftand a pair of rotary cams mounted thereon, first linkage means drivinglyinterconnecting one of said cams and said shaft means for producingoscillatory rotation of the latter, and second linkage means drivinglyinterconnecting said other of said cams and said shaft means forproducing vertical reciprocation of the latter.
 12. A method ofproducing simultaneous movement of a spiral array of containers mountedfor rotation and a container treating apparatus mounted for slidingreciprocal movement and including a container engaging member movablethrough a closed path, said method comprising the steps of: engaging onecontainer with said member; moving said member through said closed pathin order incrementally and simultaneously to rotate said array and toslide said container engaging member; disengaging said member from saidone container; moving said member over an adjacent container; andengaging the adjacent container with said member.
 13. The method ofclaim 12 wherein said steps are carried out by moving said memberrepeatedly through a cycle of movement.
 14. The method of claim 12further comprising filling said one container while said adjacentcontainer is engaged by said member.
 15. Fraction collecting apparatuscomprising a series of containers arranged in a spiral path on a supporttable mounted for free rotation about an upstanding axis, a filling headassembly mounted for free sliding movement generally transversely acrossadjacent convolutions in said spiral path, and a drive element carriedby said filling head assembly and engageable with said containers forsimultaneously rotating said table and sliding said filling headassembly.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said drive elementcomprises a downwardly depending finger engageable with said containersto align successive containers beneath said filling head.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 16 wherein said guide finger includes lateral cammingsurfaces sloping inwardly and downwardly for engaging lateral sides ofsaid containers and producing relative movement of said filling headtransversely of said spiral path to a position centered above acontainer thereon.
 18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said finger ismovable in a repetitive closed path including upward and downwardstrokes and strokes in opposite directions along said spiral path, saidfinger and a container operatively engaging one another during one ofsaid latter strokes to rotate said table to align tHe next adjacentcontainer into position for filling.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18wherein said finger includes an inwardly and downwardly sloping forwardcam surface engageable with a side of containers extending between saidlateral sides thereof for advancing the same into a filling position.20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said filling head means includessupport arm means above said containers and extending generally radiallyof the axis of rotation of said table and a filling head supporting saidfinger mounted for free sliding movement longitudinally of said armmeans.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20 including motor means for movingsaid support arm in a repetitive closed circuit generally normal theretofor aligning successive containers in said spiral path into a fillingposition.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said motor meansincludes an upstanding leg connected at its upper end to an outer end ofsaid support arm and a movable shaft supporting the lower end of saidleg for vertical movement thereof.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22 whereinsaid motor means includes first and second cams mounted for rotation ona common shaft, first follower means engaging said first cam and saidshaft for raising and lowering said shaft upon rotation of said cams,and second follower means engaging said second cam and said shaft forrotationally oscillating said shaft upon rotation of said cams therebyproducing said repetitive closed circuit motion of said support arm. 24.For use with a fraction collector, the combination of a supportingsurface mounted for rotational movement about an axis normal to andintersecting said surface, a hub member located at said axis, a stringof hingedly interconnected containers supported on said surface andhaving first and second end containers, said first end container beingconnected to said hub member and said string being disposed in a spiralaround said hub member, and means interconnecting said second endcontainer to said surface for holding said string in said spiral. 25.The combination of claim 24 wherein said interconnecting means includesresilient means held in tension to apply tension to said string.
 26. Thecombination of claim 24, a tray comprising said surface and said hubmember.